Lost Wings

7~The forest

Chapter 7

After our picnic, we had flown all the way to the edge of the forest and pitched camp, setting up our only tent. Chase and Aiden had taken turns on lookout duty in a hammock outside.

"Wake up, sleepy heads!" Autumn chirped. "Sun's up, and we have to get going."

"Five more hours," Aiden groaned.

I sat up blearily. "It's too early, Autumn."

"If you get up, you should know breakfast is ready. If not, you should also know I will have no remorse tipping your hammock."

"Couldn't you just bring breakfast here?" Aiden mumbled.

"First up gets served first." She stepped back outside.

Aiden sat up. "What? Why didn't she say so? Race ya, Hails!"

"You're going down, Aiddie-boy!" I jumped out of my hammock and ran after him.

"Good morning," Chase greeted us. He and Autumn were already eating.

Aiden turned to me. "They didn't count, they were already outside. I say we just call this a tie."

"Deal," I agreed.

"Also, your hair's a mess."

"Shut up." I ran a hand through my knotted hair and tried to pat it down.

"Doesn't matter," Chase said. "She's still the prettiest." My face flushed, and I focused my gaze on the ground.

"What? Chasey, I'm the prettiest. Stop lying." Aiden sat down and grabbed an apple. "She's cheating, too. It's the being-a-princess-thing. Autumn and her both get bonus beauty points. It's discrimination, and I won't stand for it."

"It's okay, Aiden," Autumn reassured him, trying to hold back her smile. "You're a beautiful butterfly. Chase is just jealous."

"A beautiful unicorn-butterfly," Aiden corrected as I sat down next to them. "Thank you for noticing, Autumn. You were always my favorite."

"She's bribing you, don't listen to her," Chase fake-hissed.

"Too late, Chase. Too late."

Chase threw his apple core at him. "Traitor."

"No food-fighting," Autumn reprimanded him. Aiden gave his friend a smug grin and bit into his own apple.

After breakfast, we loaded our peryton and huddled around Autumn as she drew our way on the map.

"We're right here." She pointed to the map. "There's a path there, which leads all the way to the outpost. The only thing we need to do is find the path. The rest is easy."

"Well, once we get there," Chase said, "we do have to convince the guards to help us."

"One step at a time, Chasey." Aiden smiled.

"Stop calling me that."

I giggled. "I have to say, Chase, I admire your determination. Most people, me included, would have just given up on the nickname-thing by now."

"Your nickname is Hails. It's cute. Mine is just awful."

"Just like you then." Aiden grinned. "Autumn, don't think I have forgotten you. Your name is just a bit trickier, but no nickname escapes the great Aiden."

"I can't wait." Autumn laughed.

"I know you can't. Who wouldn't want one of my nicknames?"